Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University is located six miles south of Tacoma, in suburban Parkland, on a 156-acre woodland campus. PLU offers approximately 3,500 students a unique blend of academically rigorous liberal arts and professional programs. Students develop skills in decision making, analysis, communication and reasoning that prepare them for a lifetime of success – both in their careers and in service to others.

There are a number of reasons why students choose PLU, including a full range of liberal arts academic programs – such as psychology, history and the natural sciences – anchored by a college of art

s and sciences. The university also provides students the opportunity for professional study in business, education, nursing, social work and physical education. Each of these programs maintains a strong liberal arts emphasis at its core. Master’s degrees are offered in business, education, marriage and family therapy, nursing, and writing.

In addition, PLU is committed to developing in all students a global perspective, including an understanding of the intercultural and intellectual richness of the world. About 40 percent of graduates study away at some time in their academic career. In January 2006, PLU became the first university to have students studying on all seven continents at the same time. PLU repeated this achievement in 2008 and in 2010.

The university was founded in 1890 by Scandinavian immigrants. Throughout its history PLU has remained closely affiliated with the Lutheran church and is now a university of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Given the combination of rigorous academics, delivered in a friendly, personalized environment, it’s easy to see why PLU is the only Northwest university to be listed every year within the top 15 Western region universities in the “Best Colleges” survey, published annually by U.S. News & World Report.

Academic terms: PLU follows a 4-1-4 calendar that consists of two 15-week semesters bridged by a four-week January Term. Summer consists of two four-week terms.

Degrees conferred: Undergraduate: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Bachelor of Arts in Education, Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Musical Arts, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. Graduate: Master of Arts in Education; Master of Arts (Marriage and Family Therapy); Master of Business Administration; Master of Science in Nursing; Master of Fine Arts (Creative Writing); Joint Degree MSN/MBA.

Undergraduate Majors: Anthropology, Applied Physics (BS), Art History, Biology (BA, BS), Business (BBA), Chemistry (BA, BS), Chinese Studies, Classical Languages, Classical Studies, Communication (BAC), Computer Engineering (BS), Computer Science (BA, BS), Economics, Education (BAE), English, Environmental Studies, Financial Mathematics (BS), French, Geosciences (BA, BS), German, Hispanic Studies, History, Mathematics (BA, BS), Mathematics Education (BS), Music (BA, BME, BMA, BM), Norwegian, Nursing (BSN), Philosophy, Physical Education (BAPE, BSPE), Physics (BA, BS), Political Science, Psychology (BS, BA), Religion, Scandinavian Area Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Studio Arts (BA, BFA), Theatre (BA, BFA). Complementary Majors (must accompany another major): Global Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies.

Activities: Twelve choral and instrumental ensembles, dance ensemble, theater, speech and debate, newspaper, radio, television, literary magazine. Seventy-two clubs including community service, religious, environmental, social justice, political, cultural/ethnic, business, non-traditional student, nursing, science, computer and outdoor recreation.

Athletics: NCAA Division III. Women’s intercollegiate sports: Soccer, cross-country, volleyball, basketball, swimming, track and field, tennis, crew, golf and softball. Men’s intercollegiate sports: Soccer, football, cross country, basketball, swimming, track and field, baseball, crew, golf and tennis.

Memorial Lectures: Walter C. Schnackenberg Memorial Lecture (history), Heather Koller Memorial Lecture (creative writing or ethics), Bjug Harstad Memorial Lecture (varies).